Utility connectivity system

ABSTRACT

Provided is a utility connectivity system. More specifically the presently claimed subject matter is directed to connectivity systems associated with containers and utility units connectable to one another.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is directed to a utility connectivity system.More specifically the present disclosure is directed to connectivitysystems associated with containers and utility units connectable to oneanother.

BACKGROUND ART

References considered to be relevant as background to the presentlydisclosed subject matter are listed below:

-   WO2016142935-   WO2107098513

BACKGROUND

WO2016142935 discloses a container assembly comprising a container forstorage and transport of goods comprising at least one side wall and abottom wall defining together an interior space and a cover for closingthe opening, having a top surface, wherein the cover comprises at leastone latch member movable between at least a first position and a secondposition and wherein the container comprises a retaining member on theat least one side wall and positioned parallel to the latch member suchthat the latch member is configured for engaging with a retaining memberof another container to connect the container to the at least one othercontainer.

WO2107098513 discloses a containers assembly comprising at least onefirst container and at least one second container, detachably attachableto one another by a sliding locking mechanism; said sliding lockingmechanism interacts between the at least one first container and atleast one second container, wherein the at least one first container isconfigured at a top portion thereof with a first locking member and theat least one second container is configured at a bottom portion thereofwith a second locking member; such that when the second container restsover the first container, said first locking member and said secondlocking member are aligned and are configured for lockingly interactingwith one another.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

According to the present disclosure there is disclosed a utilityconnectivity system configured for detachably attaching a first utilityunit to one or more second utility units.

The term utility unit as used herein in the specification and claimsdenotes any article of utility, either stationary of mobile, having autility and being detachably attachable to other utility units. Autility unit according to the present disclosure can be, by way ofexample, any type of container, drawer shed, work surface, locomotionsystem, mounting system, and the like.

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a utilityconnectivity system comprising a first utility unit configured at a topportion thereof with a pair of pivoting latch members, each disposednear an opposite end of the first utility unit, and a second utilityunit configured at a bottom portion thereof with a pair of spaced apartlocking retaining members for detachable articulation with the pivotinglatch members of the first utility unit, said first utility unitconfigured with a top bearing face and said second utility unitconfigured with a bottom bearing face, whereby the pivoting latchmembers can be arrested by the locking retaining members when the bottombearing face bears over the top bearing face.

The pivoting latch members can be disposed at either or both of a topsurface portion of the first utility unit and a top wall portion ofopposite side walls of the first utility unit. The locking retainingmembers can be disposed at either or both of a bottom surface of thesecond utility unit and at a bottom wall portion of opposite side wallsof the second utility unit.

Each second utility unit can constitute a first utility unit configuredfor detachably articulation thereover of another second utility unit,wherein the second utility unit is configured at a top portion thereofwith a pair of pivoting latch members, each disposed near an oppositeend of the second utility unit, and the another second utility unit isconfigured at a bottom portion thereof with a pair of spaced apartlocking retaining members for detachable articulation with the pivotinglatch members of the second utility unit, said second utility unit isconfigured with a top bearing face and said another second utility unitis configured with a bottom bearing face, whereby the pivoting latchmembers are arrested by the locking retaining members when the bottombearing face bears over the top bearing face. Accordingly, an assemblyof utility units can be detachably attachable on top of one another,comprising two or more containers detachably attached over one another.Accordingly, a plurality of utility units, e.g. containers, can bearticulately stacked over one another.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the utilityconnectivity system is a locomotion assembly, wherein the first utilityunit is a locomotion body, whereupon mounting and articulating thesecond utility unit over the locomotion body facilitates wheeledlocomotion of the locomotion assembly. According to an example of thisembodiment, there is disclosed a container locomotion assembly,comprising a locomotion body and at least one container detachablyattachable over said locomotion body, configured for locomoting the atleast one container.

The locomoting unit may comprise a locomotion body configured at abottom surface thereof with at least a first pair of wheels, and at atop portion thereof with a container coupling system, said containercoupling system comprising at least one pair of latch members beingpivotally displaceable about a first axis, between a locking position atwhich each of said latch members is engageable with a retaining memberconfigured on a respective bottom portion of a container, and a stowedposition at which said latch members are embedded within a latchreceptacle of the locomotion body.

According to one particular embodiment, at the locking position thelatch members project above a top surface of the locomoting unit.

According to another particular embodiment, at an assembled position,the locking retaining members of the container are at least partiallyreceived within the latch receptacle of the locomotion body.

According to one embodiment, the locomotion body is a containercomprising a top cover, wherein the top surface is a top cover surfaceof the container, said top cover being pivotally hinged to a containerbody, wherein said cover is displaceable between a closed position andan open position, and further wherein a bottom surface of a base of thecontainer is the bottom surface of said locomotion body.

According to another embodiment, the locomotion body is a dolly cartcomprising a top surface, a bottom surface and side walls, said bottomsurface is configured with two pairs of wheels. According to oneexample, the latch members are pivotally articulated at the top surfaceof the dolly cart. According to a second example, the latch members arepivotally articulated at the side walls of the dolly cart.

The locking latch members can be pivotally articulated to a top surfaceof the locomotion body or to opposite side walls thereof, and arepivotal such that, at the locking position, the locking latch membersproject above the top surface of the locomotion body so as to facilitateengaging with the locking retaining members on the respective side wallof the container, and at the stowed position said latch memberssubstantially do not project from the top surface of the locomotionbody.

According to another configuration, the locking latch members can bepivotally articulated to a top surface of the locomotion body or toopposite side walls thereof, and are pivotal such that at either thelocking position and at the stowed position they do not project abovethe top surface of the locomotion body.

According to an aspect of the disclosure there is provided a locomotiondolly cart kit comprising a dolly cart body and an assembly kitcomprising at least one pair of wheels and at least one pair of retrofitmounting units each comprising a latch member pivotally secured to anarticulation member. The articulation member can be configured forattachment to a location of the dolly cart body, said location beingconfigured such that the latch member is pivotally displaceable betweena locking position when it projects from a top surface of the locomotionbody and engageable with a retaining member configured on a respectiveside wall of a container, and a stowed position in which said latchmember does not project from the top surface of the locomotion body.

According to another embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided autility connectivity system, wherein the first utility unit is amounting platform comprising a bottom face configured for articulationto a surface and a top bearing face for detachably articulating theretoa second utility unit, said mounting platform further configured with apair of pivoting latch members for articulating with locking retainingmembers of a second utility unit. The pivoting latch members can bedisposed at the top bearing face or at a top portion of opposite sidewalls of the mounting platform.

Any one or more of the following features, designs and configurationscan be applied to a container locomotion unit according to the presentdisclosure:

-   -   The second utility unit can be a container of any type, such as        a toolbox;    -   The first utility unit can be a container of any type, such as a        toolbox;    -   The footprint of second utility unit can be similar or larger or        smaller than footprint of first utility unit;    -   When attached over the first utility unit, the second utility        unit can assume the same orientation as the first utility unit,        or it can be rotated by 180° or by 90° or by 270°;    -   The at least two latch members can be configured at the top        surface of the locomotion body;    -   The at least one pair of latch members can be configured at the        side walls of the locomotion body;    -   The at least one pair of latch members can be configured both at        the top surface of the locomotion body and at the side walls of        the locomotion body;    -   The locomotion body can be configured with two or more pairs of        latch members, wherein a latch member can cooperate with one or        two other latch members, respectively, to thereby facilitate        engaging with containers of different sizes and at modular        configurations;    -   The at least one pair of wheels can project from side walls of        the locomotion body;    -   The wheels of the locomotion body can comprise at least one pair        of swivel wheels;    -   The at least one pair of wheels can be disposed on an axis        parallel to the first axis of pivot of the latch members;    -   The latch members can be configured parallel to narrow side        walls of the locomotion body;    -   The latch members can be configured inwards from side edges of        the top surface of the locomotion body;    -   The locomotion body can be configured with a handle for carrying        and manipulating thereof;    -   The handle can be displaceable between a retracted position and        a stowed position;    -   At the stowed position the latch members can be configured not        to project from the top surface of the locomotion body, or from        a side wall of the locomotion body, respectively;    -   In the absence of a container articulated to the locomotion        body, the latch members can be pivoted into the locking position        to function as carrying handles for carrying the locomotion        unit;    -   The latch members can be configured for arresting with        respective locking retaining members of the container, wherein        the locking retaining members are lateral projections configured        with a hook-like portion for arresting the latch member, said        locking retaining members being integrally formed on and        outwardly protruding from respective side walls or from a bottom        surface of the container;    -   The latch members can be configured with a coating layer for        increasing locking arresting of the locking retaining members        and for cushioning when carrying the locomotion unit using the        latch members as handles;    -   Displacing the pair of latch members into the locking position        can be facilitated place by pivotal displacement along said        first axis, in opposite senses, towards one another, wherein one        latch member of the pair pivots in a clockwise direction and the        other latch of the pair pivots in a counterclockwise direction;    -   The latch receptacle can be a depression formed at a top surface        of the locomotion body;    -   The latch receptacle can be a depression formed at a top surface        of the locomotion body defined between four side walls and a        bottom wall;    -   The latch receptacle can be a depression formed at a top surface        of the locomotion body defined by three walls and a bottom wall,        and open towards a side wall of the locomotion body;    -   The latch receptacle can be a depression formed at a side wall        surface of the locomotion body;    -   A lath member can be configured as a retrofit mounting unit on a        locomotion body;    -   A retrofit mounting unit can comprise a latch member pivotally        secured to an articulation member, said articulation member        configured for attachment to a location of a locomotion body,        said location is configured such that the latch member is        pivotally displaceable between a locking position at it projects        from a top surface of the locomotion body engageable with a        retaining member configured on a respective side wall of a        container, and a stowed position at which said latch member is        does not project from the top surface;    -   The articulation member can be configured for snap articulation        to the locomotion body;    -   The second utility unit can be a workbench unit detachably        attachable with the first utility unit;        -   The workbench unit can comprise a workbench platform and a            connectivity unit, said connectivity unit configured at a            bottom portion thereof with a pair of spaced apart locking            retaining members for detachable articulation with the            pivoting latch members of the first utility unit, and            wherein said workbench platform can be integral with or            attached to said connectivity unit;        -   The workbench unit can be configured with a smooth top            surface and wherein all locking retaining members project            bellow a bottom face of a workbench platform;        -   The workbench platform can be made of wood, or plastic            material;        -   The workbench platform can be configured with piece working            facilities, such for articulation thereof of different tools            such as a vise, or power tools, machining facilities            (sawing, cutting, drilling, grinding and the like) and the            like;    -   The mounting platform can be configured for securing to any        surface, such as a wall, a table top, a vehicle cargo bed and        the like;    -   The mounting platform can be configured with a locking mechanism        for locking the second utility unit when articulated thereto;    -   A top surface of the first utility unit and a bottom surface of        the second utility unit can be configured with mating        positioning members so that the second utility unit can be        seated over the first utility unit at predefined position.        Accordingly, one of a top surface of the first utility unit and        a bottom surface of the second utility unit can be configured        with positioning projections, and the other one of the top        surface of the first utility unit and a bottom surface of the        second utility unit can be configured with positioning        depressions, said positioning projections and positioning        depressions configured in register with one another.        Accordingly, upon stacking a second utility unit over a first        utility unit, it assumes a predefined position and is unlikely        to misplace or spontaneity slide off.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosedherein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice,embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only,with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a of an articulated stack of containersmounted over a wheeled dolly cart according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a top right perspective view of the dolly cart seen in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is a front view elevation of the dolly cart of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is a top left perspective sectioned view, taken along line I-Iin FIG. 2A:

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view, of a dolly cart kit according toan embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an example of a locomotion body used in a utility connectivitysystem according to the present disclosure;

FIGS. 5A to 5C are examples of utility connectivity systems whereinutility units are articulated over a locomotion body, at differentconfigurations;

FIG. 6A is an enlargement of the portion marked A in FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6B is a section along line II-II in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of another locomotion body;

FIG. 7B is an example of a utility connectivity systems wherein autility unit is articulated over the locomotion body of FIG. 7A:

FIG. 7C is an enlargement of the portion marked B in FIG. 7A, thelocking retaining member at a locked position;

FIG. 7D is an enlargement of the portion marked C in FIG. 7A, thelocking retaining member at an unlocked position;

FIG. 7E is an enlargement of the portion marked D in FIG. 7B;

FIG. 7F is an enlarged section taken along line III-III in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7G is a sectioned view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 7D, thelocking retaining member at a locked position;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are sectioned views through the portion marked E in FIG.7B, the locking retaining member at an unlocked position and at a lockedposition, respectively;

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a top perspective view and a bottomperspective view, respectively, of a utility unit according to theexample of FIGS. 7 and 8 ;

FIG. 10 is a top perspective vie of a container articulated over amounting platform;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are a top perspective view and a bottom perspectiveview, respectively, of the mounting platform seen in FIG. 10 ;

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal section along line V-V in FIG. 11A;

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal section along line VI-VI in FIG. 10 ;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are a top perspective view and a bottom perspectiveview, respectively, of a workbench platform articulated over acontainer;

FIG. 14C is a top perspective view of the workbench platform seen inFIG. 14 ;

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of a container articulated over amounting platform and a workbench platform articulated over thecontainer; and

FIG. 16 is a sectioned view along line VII-VII of the assembly seen inFIG. 15 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Attention is first directed to FIG. 1 of the drawings illustrating autility system generally designated 10 and comprising a dolly cart 12with a stack of three utility units 14 articulately mounted over thedolly cart 12. The utility units 14 are three containers, e.g. tool orstorage containers 16A, 16B and 16C, each articulated to a containerbelow, respectively, and wherein the lowermost container 16A is in turnarticulated over a top surface of the dolly cart 12, as will bediscussed hereinbelow. It is appreciated that the utility units 14 canbe article of utility as defined herein before, and each have adifferent size and footprint, however configured for respectivearticulation over one another, and over the dolly cart 12.

Whilst the description and drawings herein refer to utility units beingcontainers, it should be appreciated that the scope of the disclosure isnot to be restricted to same.

FIGS. 2A to 2C are directed to the dolly cart 12, and it can be seenthat the dolly cart comprises a mounting platform 20 configured withfour caster wheels 22 articulated at a bottom surface of the dolly cart,with a top bearing face 26 configured with several utility unitpositioning depressions 28 and 29. These are positioned and shaped inregister with corresponding projections at a bottom surface of a secondutility unit to be mounted thereover, e.g. container 16A as discussed inconnection with FIG. 1 .

The dolly cart 12 is further configured with a pair of pivoting latchmembers 30, each pivotally disposed within a niche 32 of a respectiveside wall 34 of the dolly cart 12, and configured for articulating withlocking retaining members of a second utility unit (e.g. container 16A,and as will be discussed with greater detail with reference to FIGS. 6Aand 6B). The pivoting latch members 30 are configured with a grippingportion 38 suited for comfort grabbing by an individual when carryingsame, whereby the latch members constitute also carrying handles. Thepivoting latch members 30 are pivotable between a collapsed position(left side latch member of FIGS. 2B and 2C), and a locking position(right side latch member of FIGS. 2B and 2C)

It is now appreciated that the second utility units, e.g. containers 16Ato 16C illustrated in FIG. 1 and as will be discussed with reference toseveral figures hereinafter, are each configured with pivoting latchmembers 30 at respective side ends thereof or over a top bearing surfacethereof, however disposed within a niche.

As can be further seen, the pivoting latch members 30 are pivotallysecured within the niche 32 by a pair of connectors 40, snappinglysecured within the niche 32 and each configured with an indention 42 forat least partially receiving the pivoting latch members 30, whereby atthe collapsed position the latch members 30 substantially do not projectfrom the top bearing face 26 nor from the side walls 34. From thearrangement of FIG. 3 it can be realized that the connectors 40 with thepivoting latch members 30 can be configured as kit, rendering itsuitable for attachment to other utility units, so as to readily convertthem into a component utility unit of the utility connectivity systemaccording to the present disclosure.

Turning now to FIG. 4 of the drawings, there is illustrated atrolley-style first utility unit in the form of a rigid trolley-stylewheeled container 46, comprising a rigid body 48 with a pair oflocomotion wheels 50 at a base portion of the container, a telescopichandle 52 retractable from the body 48, and a pivotally secured topcover 54. The cover 54 comprises a bearing surface with shapeddepressions 55 configured for receiving and supporting projectionsdisposed at a bottom face of a second utility unit (not shown) to bemounted thereon, and further comprising a pair of pivoting latch members56 spaced apart near side end portions of the cover 54 and disposedwithin a depressed niche 58, such that at a collapsed position, thelatch members 56 substantially do not project from the top surface ofthe cover 54. The depressed niches 58 are configured with an openingfacing the respective nearby side wall, whereby the pivoting latchmembers 56 are easily accessible also at the presence of a secondutility unit over the first utility unit.

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C exemplify modularity of the connectivity system,wherein in FIG. 5A the system 60 comprises a first utility unit 62 (sameas trolley-style wheeled container 46 of FIG. 4 ), and the secondutility unit articulated thereover is a container (same as container 16Bin FIG. 1 ), however with the footprint of the second utility unit beingsmaller than that of the first utility unit 62, and wherein thelongitudinal axis of the two containers are disposed parallel to oneanother and perpendicular to an axis of the wheels 50. In FIG. 5B thefirst utility unit 68 (same as first utility unit 62 in FIG. 5A) and thesecond utility unit articulated thereover is an organizer box 70, andlikewise is the third utility unit 72. Similar to the arrangement inFIG. 5A, the footprint of the second utility unit 70 (and 72) is smallerthan that of the first utility unit 68. The arrangement of FIG. 5Cdiscloses a first utility unit 78 (same as first utility unit 68 in FIG.5B) and two second utility units 80 and 82 (schematically represented)and articulated over the first utility unit 78 at a side-by-sideorientation, with the axis of the two second utility units 80 and 82traversing the longitudinal axis of the first utility unit 68 (i.e.parallel to the axis of the wheels 50). However, the couplingarrangement of the utility units disclosed hereinabove in connectionwith FIGS. 5A to 5C is similar to the disclosure relating to previousexamples and with particular reference being made now to FIGS. 6A and6B.

As seen in FIG. 5A, and better in FIGS. 6A and 6B (being a close-up ofdetail A is FIG. 5A), each second utility unit (e.g. container 64) isconfigured at a bottom portion of its opposite side walls 90 with aretaining member 94 in the form of a pair of rigid upwards facinghook-like element integrally formed on and outwardly protruding from therespective side wall. The retaining member 94 can be in the form of acouple or more such hook-like elements (e.g. as in the illustratedexample) or it can be a continuous element (not shown). The pivotinglatch members 56 are pivotally articulated to the cover 54 at the niche58, through a bushing support 98 comprising a spring biased plungermechanism 100 configured for retaining the latch member 56 at a closedposition, when not in use. Also noted, the niche 58 comprises anarresting rib 59 whereby when the latch members 56 is disposed at theunlocked position it is unlikely to spontaneously displace (i.e. itremains disposed substantially parallel over the base surface 61 of theniche 58 and not projecting therefrom)

In use, the latch members 56 are retained at the unlocked position (i.e.resting within the niche 58) and the second utility unit, namelycontainer 64 of the present example, is placed over the first utilityunit, namely trolley 46. Once positioned in place, the latch members 56are pivoted upwards towards one another so as to engage and arrest withthe retaining members 94, whereupon the second utility unit isarticulated over the first utility unit and they can now be locomotedunitarily. Likewise, a third utility unit can now be articulated overthe second utility unit (e.g. as in the example of FIG. 1 or 5B).Detaching the second utility unit from the first utility unit is easilyfacilitated by pivotal displacing the latch members 56 into theirresting, unlocked position (FIG. 4 ). It is noted that upon displacingthe latch members 56 into the locked position they snap into arrestingby the respective retaining members 94, whilst unlocking requiresapplying some force so as to overcome the arresting bulge at the tip ofthe retaining members 94.

Further attention is now directed to FIGS. 7A to 9B of the drawings,illustrating another example of a utility connectivity system accordingto the disclosure.

A trolley-style first utility unit in the form of a rigid trolley-stylewheeled container 100, comprising a rigid body 102 with a pair oflocomotion wheels 104 disposed at a base portion of the container androtatable about an axis 105, a telescopic handle 106 retractable fromthe body 102, and a pivotally secured top cover 110. The cover 110 has abearing surface 111 comprising a pair of pivoting latch members 114spaced apart and disposed within a depressed niche 116, such that amajor portion of the latch members 56 extends within the niche 116 (ateither a locked/unlocked position thereof), however with only lockingtongue projecting over the bearing surface 111, as will be discussed.Each pivoting latch members 114 comprises a pair of tongue-like lockinglatches 115 (seen in FIGS. 7C-7D). The pivoting latch members 114 arepivotally articulated to the cover 110 through axel disposed parallel tothe wheels axis 105.

As seen in FIG. 7A, the right side niche 116 is configured also with anopening facing the respective nearby side wall, however wherein bothpivoting latch members are easily accessible also at the presence of asecond utility unit (120; FIG. 7B) over the first utility unit 100.

As seen in FIGS. 7B, 9A and 9B, the second utility unit, namelycontainer 120, is configured at a base thereof with a bearing portion130 having a bottom surface 132 and a rim 134 (peripheral in the presentexample), said bearing portion 130 shaped and sized for at least partialnesting within boundaries of a top nesting portion defined by a supportrim 136 of a like container, at a stacked position (not shown), suchthat a bottom surface 132 of top container bears over a top surface 135of a bottom container. The second utility unit 120 is configured atleast at respective opposite sides of the bearing portion 130 with twolocking receptacle 138 having a lateral opening.

Reverting to the pivoting latch members 114, the tongue-like lockinglatches 115 are displaceable through latch passages 140, wherein thelocking latches 115 are displaceable between the locked position atwhich they project inwardly and over the support surface 111, and theunlocked position wherein the locking latches 115 are retracted, i.e. donot project over the support surface 111, at which position the latchesare protected and are not exposed to undesired impact.

The arrangement is such that articulating the second utility unit 120over the first utility unit 100 is facilitated by placing the formerover the later such that the bottom surface 132 bears over the supportsurface 111, wherein the locking receptacles 138 are in register withthe locking latches 115, whereby pivoting the latch members 114 into thelocked position (FIGS. 7C, 7E, 7F and 8B), the locking latches 115engage within the respective locking receptacle 138 of the secondutility unit 120, such that the two utility units are articulatelyconnected to one another.

At an unlocked position (FIGS. 8A to 8B) the locking members 114 arepivotally displaced outwards, wherein the locking latch 115 disengagefrom the respective locking receptacle 138, wherein the second containercan be separated from the first container. It is noted that pivotaldisplacement of the pivoting latch members 114 is restricted withinlatch passages 140, whereby upon pivotal displacement of the latchmembers 114 into the fully open position a stopper portion 117 of thelocking latches 115 encounters a wall surface 144 of a bridge portion.

The disclosed arrangement facilitates articulating a second utility unitover a first utility unit, the former having a smaller footprint thanthe latter.

With reference made to FIGS. 10 to 13 , there is illustrated a firstutility unit in form of a mounting platform 160, configured forarticulation thereto a second utility unit in form of a container 164(e.g. a tool box or the like).

The mounting platform 160 is made of rigid material and comprises abottom face 166 suitable for mounting over any bearing surface such as atruck bed, a work station and the like, and securing thereto with boltsthrough a plurality of openings 118. A top face 170 (seen in FIGS. 11Aand 12 ) of the mounting platform 160 mimics a top face of utility unitas disclosed hereinabove, e.g. dolly cart 12 of FIGS. 2A-2C, or a topface of a container as mentioned hereinbefore. The top face 170 isconfigured for bearing bottom surface portions of a second utility unit,and is further configured with several positioning locations, e.g.depressions 171 for receiving and positioning respective projections 173of the second utility unit 164.

The mounting platform 160 is further configured with a pair of pivotinglatch members 172, each pivotally articulated, within a niche 174 atopposite sides of the platform 160, pivoting latch members 172configured for articulating with laterally extending locking retainingmembers 178 of the second utility unit 164. The pivoting latch members172 are configured with a gripping portion 180 suited for comfortgrabbing by an individual when carrying same, whereby the latch membersconstitute also carrying handles. The pivoting latch members 172 arepivotable between an unlocked/collapsed position (right side latchmember in these Figures), and a locking position (left side latch memberof the respective Figures).

When a second utility unit 164 is placed and positioned in register overthe mounting platform 160, the latch members 172 can be pivoted intotheir locked position for arresting the locking retaining members 178 ofthe second utility unit.

FIGS. 14A to 16 illustrate a second utility unit being a workbenchplatform 190 mountable over a first utility unit, which in the presentexample is a container 192 (though it could just as well be any otherutility unit (e.g. mounting platform 160 of the previous example, orother types of containers, etc.). The workbench platform 190 comprises aflat top surface 194 and a flat bottom surface 195 (though these couldbe configured with various working/machining configurations common withworking surfaces). An intercoupling unit 196 is configured at a bottomface, constituting an intercoupling unit for articulating the platformto a first utility unit as will be explained. The intercoupling unit 196can be integral with the workbench or attached thereto, whereby at theevent of wear of one surface, the work surface can be turned over andattached over the intercoupling unit 196 for using the opposite surface.It is also seen that the intercoupling unit 196 has a smaller footprintthan the work surface, though other proportions are possible as well.

The intercoupling unit 196 disposed below the work surface is configuredat opposite sides thereof with laterally extending locking retainingmembers 200, similar to hook-like members 94 (FIGS. 6A-6B) or lockingretaining members 178 (FIGS. 10, 13, 14A and 14B). Once the workbenchplatform 190 is placed over the first utility unit, e.g. container 192,or mounting platform 160 (FIG. 11A), the pivoting latch members 172 canbe pivotally displaced into their respective locked position (FIG. 14B)for articulating the workbench platform 190 over the first utility unit.

In FIGS. 15 and 16 the workbench platform 190 constitutes a secondutility unit articulated over a container 192 constituting a firstutility unit with respect thereto, whilst the container 192 is in turnis articulated over a mounting platform 160 which constitutes a firstutility unit with respect to the container 192 (which is then the secondutility unit, respectively).

The invention claimed is:
 1. A utility connectivity system comprising afirst utility unit configured with at least two latch receptacles formedas depressions at a top surface thereof, each latch receptaclecomprising a pivoting latch member, and a second utility unit configuredat a bottom portion thereof with at least two spaced-apart lockingretaining members for respective detachable articulation with thepivoting latch members of the first utility unit, said first utilityunit configured with a top bearing face comprising said top surfaceportion, and said second utility unit configured with a bottom bearingface, whereby the pivoting latch members are arrestable by the lockingretaining members when the bottom bearing face bears over the topbearing face, wherein the pivoting latch members are pivotallydisplaceable about a first axis, between a locking position in whicheach of the latch members is engageable with a retaining memberconfigured on a respective bottom portion of the second utility unit,and a non-locking stowed position in which the latch members areembedded within the latch receptacle and the pivoting latch members arebiased by a biasing mechanism to the non-locking stowed position, thebiasing mechanism being defined within the latch receptacle, the latchreceptacle comprises an arresting rib, that projects into alatch-receiving space defined by the latch receptacle, to arrest thepivoting latch members in the non-locking stowed position substantiallyparallel to a bottom base of the latch receptacle without substantiallyprojecting out of the latch receptacle.
 2. The utility connectivitysystem of claim 1, wherein the locking retaining members are disposed ateither or both of a bottom surface of the second utility unit and at abottom wall portion of opposite side walls of the second utility unit.3. The utility connectivity system of claim 1, wherein a top surface ofthe first utility unit and a bottom surface of the second utility unitare configured with mating positioning members so that the secondutility unit can be seated over the first utility unit at predefinedpositions.
 4. The utility connectivity system of claim 1, wherein thesecond utility unit has a footprint that is similar to or larger than afootprint of the first utility unit.
 5. The utility connectivity systemof claim 1, wherein the second utility unit has a footprint that issmaller than a footprint of first utility unit.
 6. The utilityconnectivity system of claim 1, wherein when attached over the firstutility unit, the second utility unit assumes the same orientation asthe first utility unit, or an orientation rotated by an angle selectedfrom the group consisting of 90°, 180° and 270° with respect to thefirst utility unit.
 7. The utility connectivity system of claim 1,wherein the latch receptacles being distanced from edges of said topsurface.
 8. The utility connectivity system of claim 1, whereindisplacing the latch members into the locking position takes place bypivotal displacement along said first axis, in opposite directionstowards one another, wherein one latch member pivots in a clockwisedirection and the other latch member pivots in a counterclockwisedirection.
 9. The utility connectivity system of claim 1, wherein thelatch receptacle is a depression defined between four side walls and abottom wall of the top surface.
 10. The utility connectivity system ofclaim 1, wherein the latch receptacle is a depression defined at a topsurface of a locomotion body, the depression being defined by threewalls and a bottom wall, and open towards a side wall of the locomotionbody.
 11. The utility connectivity system of claim 1, comprising alocomotion assembly wherein the first utility unit is a locomotion body,whereupon mounting and articulating the second utility unit over thelocomotion body facilitates wheeled locomotion of the locomotionassembly.
 12. The utility connectivity system of claim 11, wherein thelocomotion assembly comprises said locomotion body and at least onecontainer detachably attachable over said locomotion body, configuredfor locomoting the at least one container.
 13. The utility connectivitysystem of claim 12, wherein the locomoting body is a dolly cart.
 14. Theutility connectivity system of claim 1, wherein the first utility unitis a mounting platform comprising a bottom face configured forarticulation to a surface and a top bearing face for detachablyarticulating thereto a second utility unit, wherein said latchreceptacles are defined in the top bearing face, each latch receptaclecomprising said pivoting latch member.
 15. The utility connectivitysystem of claim 1, wherein at a stowed position the latch members areconfigured not to project from the top bearing surface of the firstutility unit, or from side walls of the first utility unit.
 16. Theutility connectivity system of claim 1, wherein the locking retainingmembers are a lateral projection configured with a hook-like portion forarresting the latch member, said locking retaining members beingintegrally formed on and outwardly protruding from respective side wallsor from a bottom surface of the second utility unit.
 17. The utilityconnectivity system of claim 1, wherein the second utility unit is aworkbench unit detachably attachable over the first utility unit, theworkbench unit comprises a workbench platform having a bottom portionthereof comprising said spaced apart locking retaining members.